Insulin Application Significantly Enhances Wound Healing

       Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, recently determined that applying insulin directly to skin wounds significantly enhances the overall healing process. Insulin is the hormone known primarily for regulating sugar levels in the blood.
       Skin wounds in rats treated topically with insulin healed faster, while healing in keratinocytes and microvascular endothelial cells in human skin was notable. In cultured human skin cells, the insulin works by switching on cellular signaling proteins called kinases and a protein (SREBP) that binds elements in DNA that regulate the production of cholesterol and its relatives.
       Chronic and nonhealing wounds take an immense toll on American health and on healthcare systems. It particularly affects millions of patients with impaired mobility, as well as those with diabetes. Since diabetes is a disease caused by impaired production or utilization of insulin, this research may help explain the connection between diabetes and poor wound healing.
       Visit http://www.sciencedaily.com for more information.

Getinge Acquires Huntleigh Technology PLC

       Getinge Extended Care UK Limited (Notts, UK) announces a recommended cash offer for all of the outstanding share capital of Huntleigh Technology PLC (Bedfordshire, UK).
       Getinge has now acquired, or received valid acceptances of the offer in respect of 81,702,698 Huntleigh shares, representing in aggregate approximately 95.8% of all shares in Huntleigh. Further, all other remaining conditions to the offer have now either been satisfied or waived.
       Accordingly, the offer is declared unconditional in all respects.
Getinge will procure that Huntleigh is de-listed and that the trading on the London Stock Exchange ceases, which is anticipated to take effect on February 1, 2007.
       As the owner of more than 90% of the shares and votes in Huntleigh, Getinge will use its right to acquire compulsorily the remaining Huntleigh shares on the same terms as the offer.
       Visit http://www.getinge.com for more information.

Wound Care Solutions (WCS) Acquires Curative Wound Care Centers

       WCS Clinics Inc (Jacksonville, Fla) acquired approximately 100 wound care clinics from Critical Care Systems Inc (Nashua, NH) on November 30, 2006.
       WCS Clinics contracts with hospitals to establish and manage comprehensive wound care programs, providing top clinical expertise, research, data systems, and experienced staff to treat the growing number of patients suffering with chronic, nonhealing wounds as the result of diabetes, pressure ulcers, vascular insufficiency, radiation injury, and other conditions.
       WCS Clinics will have a leading industry position with more than 260 hospital contracts covering 40 states. The transaction also allows hospitals the ability to provide a value-added service to a growing population. WCS Clinics develops and manages the wound care centers by providing key staff, equipment, implementation guidelines, operating procedures, clinical algorithms, outcomes data tracking systems, education and training, community education, and billing and coding support.
       Visit http://www.wccs.com for more information.

Nanotechnology Bandage Speeds Wound Healing Process

       Clinical trials for a new medical bandage that quickly heals wounds concluded in December 2006, bringing its researchers closer to commercializing the product that took years in the making. Professor Daniel Smith and Darrell Reneker of Akron University used electricity to spin ultrafine polymer fibers while infusing them with chemicals that open a wound to oxygen.
       This nanofiber bandage is particularly helpful for people with diabetes because the dressing releases nitric oxide gas, a natural chemical that people with diabetes are not able to produce enough of and is crucial for bodily repair. The electro-spun fibers are inexpensive, lightweight, elastic, and conform to any wound without sticking.
       The first human trials are taking place in Colombia, South America. Colombia was chosen because it was easier to find people suffering with parasitic lesions.
       The University of Akron efforts won a 2006 Innovation Award from NorTech, an economic development organization dedicated to spurring invention in Northeast Ohio. Smith and Reneker hope the results of these trials will earn them FDA approval to conduct clinical trials in the United States. Smith predicts that the bandages will be ready for production no later than 2008.
       Visit http://www.nanowerk.com for more information.